News

Congratulations to Assoc Prof Jason Yap, Dr Cecilia Teng, Dr Saima Hilal, Dr Rayner Tan, Assoc Prof Mary Chong, Dr Wong Mee Lian, Dr Aw Su and Dr Shou Yiyun – recipients of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health Teaching and Research Awards for AY2024/2025! These awards celebrate the dedication, innovation and impact of our educators and researchers who are shaping the future of global health.

The Individual Teaching Excellence Award recognises faculty who have demonstrated exceptional performance and commitment to our students’ learning journey:
• Assoc Prof Jason Yap
• Dr Cecilia Teng
• Dr Saima Hilal

The Teaching Excellence Award (Team Award) honours the collaborative spirit and outstanding teaching of the team:
• Assoc Prof Mary Chong (Leader)
• Dr Wong Mee Lian
• Dr Aw Su
• Dr Shou Yiyun

The Outstanding Researcher Award recognises a consistent track record of research excellence and high-impact work:
• Dr Saima Hilal

The Young Researcher Award celebrates junior faculty with exceptional research potential and achievements:
• Dr Rayner Tan

The School extends its warmest congratulations to all our winners! We look forward to your continued success and your vital contributions to the field of public health.

In a time of intensifying geopolitical rivalries and constrained fiscal environments, global health governance stands at a critical juncture.

Declining development aid and the United States’ withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO) signal deeper fractures within existing global health architecture. These political shifts directly impact health financing, preparedness systems, equitable access to medical countermeasures, and overall health security worldwide.

Prof Teo Yik Ying shares on the demand for a recalibrated multi-level approach in the path forward to maintain strong global leadership, strengthen regional cooperation and reinforce accountable, resilient national health systems.

The article was first published on The Business Times on Mar 3, 2026.
Photo credit: The Business Times

Congratulations to Associate Professor Hannah Clapham on her promotion to Associate Professor with retrospective effect from 1 January 2026.

Associate Professor Clapham serves as Director of the Centre for Epidemic Research and Modelling (CERM) and Programme Leader for Infectious Diseases at SSHSPH. Since joining the School in 2020, she has made significant contributions to advancing the scientific understanding of infectious disease dynamics and control, particularly in the contexts of dengue, COVID-19, and Japanese encephalitis. Her work on mathematical modelling of dengue vaccination strategies in Singapore, as well as her pivotal role in COVID-19 policy modelling that informed Singapore’s Ministry of Health (MOH), exemplifies the application of rigorous quantitative methods to real-world public health challenges.

In recognition of her contributions to Singapore’s pandemic response, Associate Professor Clapham was conferred the Singapore Public Administration Medal (Bronze) (COVID-19) in 2022. Her work has also elevated the international profile of NUS and Singapore, including serving as a key advisor to the World Health Organization (WHO) on dengue vaccine policies.

The School extends its warmest congratulations to Associate Professor Clapham on this well-deserved achievement and looks forward to her continued contributions to public health research and policy.

As of 14 February 2026, confirmed Tuberculosis (TB) cases in Malaysia have surpassed 3,100, drawing renewed attention to infectious disease trends in the region. While social gatherings and cross-border travel have increased —particularly as Chinese New Year coincides with Ramadan — health experts suggest the situation remains manageable.

A Regional Phenomenon
Professor Leo Yee-Sin, Adjunct Professor at the NUS Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health, notes that TB maintains a relatively high incidence rate across Southeast Asia. In this context, the current situation in Malaysia can be viewed as part of a broader “regional phenomenon” rather than an isolated spike.

Understanding Transmission
To manage public concern, it is vital to understand how TB spreads:
• Airborne Bacteria: TB is caused by bacteria that spread through the air when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
• Prolonged Contact: Transmission generally requires frequent, close, and prolonged contact with an infectious individual.
• Low-Risk Encounters: The risk of infection from brief conversations or passing encounters is very low.
• Misconceptions: Contrary to common belief, TB is not transmitted through the sharing of utensils or food.

The School continues to monitor regional health trends to inform public health preparedness and community safety.

Photo credit: 8World

The Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health launched two new modelling centres on Friday 27 February. The Centre for Epidemic Research and Modelling (CERM) emerged from the crucible of COVID-19, when its founding faculty members developed epidemiological models to inform the response to the pandemic. Its sister centre, the Centre for Population Health Risk and Systems Modelling (PHRISM), was created in response to the need of the health system to adapt to an ageing population and rising healthcare costs.

The two centres were formally opened by Mr Tan Kiat How, Senior Minister of State, Ministry of Digital Development and Information, and Ministry of Health, who shared in his opening address the importance that MOH places on modelling to better inform their policy decisions. The opening ceremony was also graced by Professors Tan Eng Chye, President of NUS; and Teo Yik Ying, Dean of the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health; Mayfong Mayxay, President of the University of Health Sciences in Lao PDR; Vernon Lee, Chief Executive of the Communicable Diseases Agency, and other luminaries.

The two centre directors, Associate Professors Hannah Clapham (of CERM) and Alec Morton (of PHRISM), after unveiling the centre plaques with Minister Tan, shared the evolution of their centres and their future plans.

In panel discussions, we heard of the importance of trust in facilitating relations between government and academic modellers, and of cocreation to ensure models answer policy questions that were asked, and not questions that were not asked.

The event showcased innovations by the modelling community in the Saw Swee Hock School of Public Health through a poster series and short presentations by staff, students, and faculty.

The webpage for CERM was also launched: updates on news from the CERM team can be found here: https://cerm.nus.edu.sg/.

We are pleased to announce the appointment of Assistant Professor Hannah Clapham as Director of the Centre for Epidemic Research and Modelling (CERM), with effect from 23 February 2026.

CERM serves as a vital nexus between academic research and public health practice. Through real-time epidemiological insights and advanced predictive modelling of infectious diseases, the Centre enables timely, evidence-based decision-making during outbreaks and public health emergencies. Its mission is to advance the science of infectious disease modelling, inform policy through rigorous and innovative research, and train the next generation of modelling experts. The Centre continues to strengthen its contributions in delivering high-quality research that supports policymakers in Singapore, across the region, and globally.

Hannah is an infectious disease epidemiologist whose work applies mathematical modelling and data analytics to understand disease transmission and control. Her research spans arboviruses, vaccines, sero-epidemiology, and preparedness modelling. Prior to joining the School in 2020, she conducted postdoctoral research in the United States and led the mathematical modelling group at the Oxford University Clinical Research Unit in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Since 2022, she has served with distinction as Leader of the School’s Infectious Diseases Programme.

Assistant Professor Swapnil Mishra will continue in his role as Deputy Director of CERM, providing strong strategic and scientific leadership in support of the Centre’s work.

We would also like to express our sincere appreciation to Professor Alex Cook for his pioneering leadership as Director over the past year and for his significant contributions to advancing CERM’s impact.

Please join us in congratulating Hannah on her appointment and in wishing her every success in this important role.

The School hosted a visit for the Faculty of Public Health at the University of Waterloo, providing valuable opportunities for exchanges of perspectives.

The SSHSPH family kicked off the Lunar New Year with a bang on 20 February, where we also celebrated our Long Service Awardees!

SPH2801 is a Special Term course that examines the structural, socioeconomic, cultural, and political factors shaping health equity, with a particular focus on Asia. Through a combination of classroom learning and overseas field engagement, students gain a deeper understanding of how health inequities manifest in real-world settings and how they are addressed in practice.
A core component of the course is an immersive field trip to Cambodia, where students engage with communities, healthcare providers, and organisations working to advance more inclusive and equitable health systems.
Participation Pathways
Undergraduate students: Undergraduate students will enrol in SPH2801 as a credit-bearing Special Term course, which includes a compulsory overseas field trip.
Postgraduate students: Postgraduate students may participate in the Cambodia field trip as a non-credit experiential learning opportunity, joining the same itinerary as undergraduate students.
Key Details
Field Trip Location: Cambodia
Field Trip Dates: 5–12 July 2026
Registration Closes: 2 March 2026, 11:59 PM
For queries, please email UGhelp_SPH@nus.edu.sg. Click the buttons below to register.